In case there are no sockets in your house’s bathroom and the floor needs clean-up, then you have to plug the vacuum cleaner into a socket located in the adjacent room. And even if the cord is long enough, it’s still troublesome to plug in and out in the adjacent room.

This is where cordless vacuum cleaner comes in handy: it does not have a single cord, so mobility is its biggest advantage.

All you need is to simply take the device from the charger, vacuum any room and place it back.

And you do not have to look for a socket!

Handheld vacuum cordless are also perfect for cleaning worktops, tables, ceiling fans, ceilings, window blinds and other hard-to-access places that cannot be reached by a wired vacuum cleaner.

How to Choose Such a Vacuum Cleaner?

Here are three key aspects that are worth paying attention to.

First, check how much it weighs: if it’s more than 5 pounds – that is too much, it will be difficult to hold such a vacuum cleaner in your hands, cleaning anything above eye level.

Second, check the equipment of a specific model. At least there must be a crevice nozzle and a brush, because they are usually fit for cleaning hard-to-access places – under-sofa area, on a plinth, into corners – those are the places that most standard vacuum cleaners cannot handle.

Also, it’s nice if there is a round brush or a brush for cleaning animals, but, accordingly, this will increase the cost of the device.

And third, it should be able to function for at least 10 minutes from one charge.

Standard clean-up usually takes 10 to 30 minutes, so a vacuum cleaner that is discharged faster is a waste of money.

It’s not the best model, but it combines a compact design, affordable price and versatility.

The set includes several brushes for different surfaces. Beyond that, this vacuum cleaner is not too expensive – just under 80$.

Its weight is only 3.7 pounds, so it can be lifted without giving oneself the trouble.

This model has an excellent flexible 4-foot hose, which means you do not have to carry the vacuum cleaner behind you; you can leave it on the floor and calmly do the cleaning.

Due to the long hose, you can reach hard-to-access places without even holding the vacuum cleaner in your hands.

The kit includes a brush for hard-to-access places, for removing dust and pet hair. You will enjoy the brush especially if you have pets. The non-standard pet hair brush, according to reviews, effectively cleans up furniture upholstery from pet hair.

The 20-volt lithium-ion battery, according to the test results, is fully charged in about 5 hours; the charge lasts for 20-30 minutes of continuous operation.

The battery in this model cannot be separated from the main device, therefore, in case of a breakdown, you’ll have to send the whole vacuum cleaner for repair.

The positive attributes of the model include also a long 4-foot hose and a nozzle for pet hair cleaning.

But the model has the following downsides: an insufficiently large bag for dust and suction power below other similar models.

Pros

Weighs only 3.7 pounds.

The 4 foot flexible hose is long enough that you’ll be able to place the vacuum on the floor and use the hose to reach sofas or chairs to apply more pressure.

The dirt container has windows on it so you can see how much dirt is in there.

Filter is washable.

Not as noisy as other cordless vacuums.

Cons

Very limited dirt capacity at only 17 ounces.

No replacement battery currently available.

Suction isn’t as strong.

Charger doesn’t have a wall mounting option which increases the footprint when storing this.

BLACK+DECKER BDH2000PL MAX Lithium Pivot Vacuum, 20-volt

This vacuum cleaner is better than many other models, and it costs less!

The BDH2000PL has more power than the other two models from Dyson – 35 vs. 28 watts.

I.e. it is more powerful by 7 watts or by 25%, and that’s a significant advantage!

The modern battery eliminates the problem of power loss and reduces charging time from 16 to 2 hours.

The model’s suction power is high: when tested, the vacuum cleaner removed all the dust under the brush.

What downsides does the model have?

The biggest downside of the vacuum cleaner is a small dust compartment, which makes it suitable only for cleaning small premises.

Another problem is the dust, sticking in the hose between the nozzle and the vacuum cleaner, which must be pushed through with a finger or pencil.

The device’s action time is only 15 minutes, which is enough for cleaning one or two premises, but also the model’s charge time is quick – just 2 hours.

It is best to use the vacuum cleaner for removing medium dust.

Besides, the model is not as effective in removing animal hair, because the kit doesn’t include a brush for removing such hair. If you need a vacuum cleaner, including pet hair removal, it is better to take another model with a suitable nozzle.

Pros

Strong suction.

Lithium ion battery.

Minimal power fade throughout the charge cycle.

Long 2 year warranty.

Easy to empty.

Battery can be replaced.

Cons

Can’t clean pet hair on carpet because it doesn’t have a pet hair tool.

Not a floor cleaner – you’ll need a stick vacuum to complement this.

Dyson DC59 Motorhead Cordless Vacuum

The MotorHead model is a brand new hand vacuum cleaner from Dyson which has gained popularity all over the world.

In the model, Dyson engineers added a rotating brush, hence the name “MotorHead”.

The model’s engine rotates the main brush with the help of air circulation, which additionally cleans the surface up to 75%.

Not only is this model more powerful, but also the motorized brush has a larger diameter.

This means that this model can clean a carpet more thoroughly with a short or medium pile or other complex surface.

The vacuum cleaner is also suitable for cleaning stairs and vertical surfaces. Its versatility, perhaps, is the most crucial attribute of this model, however, the versatility is worth more money.

The vacuum cleaner includes nozzles, such as a brush for cleaning hard-to-access places, a mini-motorized (self-rotating) brush and a versatile brush for treating various surfaces.

What downsides does the model have?

The biggest one of them is the price. It costs more than 300$; this is one of the most expensive models from Dyson. This model costs even more than Miele, but this is the price for cordless technology.

Removing coarse litter, such as corn curls, is quite a challenge for this cordless vacuum cleaner due to the relatively small cleaning nozzle which have no holes for coarse litter.

To remove such impurities, other vacuum cleaners as Hoover Platinum Collection or Eureka EasyClean Lightweight are best suited.

Though tiny pollutions, such as dust, sand, crumbs or crushed cookies, are not an issue for the model.

Pros

Great suction.

The bigger motorized brush has its own motor which means better deep cleaning action in deeper piled carpet.

Max function doubles suction power but decreases run time (6 minutes).

Versatile – can be used as a handheld and stick vac.

Easy to clean filter will last the lifetime of the vacuum.

Easy to clean motorized brush.

Cons

Not for large homes (only has a 24 minute run time).

Very expensive.

Noisy especially with max button turned on.

Small dirt bin.

Large debris may clog the suction chamber.

Hoover Platinum Collection LiNX Cordless Pet Handheld Vacuum, BH50030

It’s not easy to find a high-quality cordless vacuum cleaner designed for cleaning pet hair, and it’s much harder to find one that copes with the problem one hundred percent. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at the Hoover Platinum model which we tested.

This is the second vacuum cleaner for removing pet hair produced by Hoover Platinum. The first model had a power supply cord, but had no motorized (self-rotating) brush.

The previous model had a ribbed mechanism made of elastic rubber, which additionally helped to clean the surface. And although this modification functions very well, it’s still not as effective as a motorized brush. Another downside of the previous model is the cord that greatly limits mobility.

And finally a cordless vacuum cleaner has appeared, supplied with all proper nozzles for proficient cleaning of hard-to-access areas.

The biggest downside of the new model is the battery: the vacuum cleaner contains nickel-cadmium battery instead of lithium-ion one, which significantly adds weight to the device and is not so effective.

In addition, the Hoover Platinum model does not have a hose that would allow it to reach various hard-to-access areas, such as your car’s interior or under-sofa area.

But despite this, the vacuum cleaner is well fit for cleaning floors or furniture upholstery from dust and dirt owing to a motorized brush.

The B&D Platinum BDH2000L is a “cousin” of the BDH2000FL and a part of the new Hoover Platinum series using the same 20-volt lithium-ion battery.

The dust bag in this 20-ounce model allows the vacuum cleaner to clean large areas without need for frequent bag emptying.

The brush for hard-to-access areas allows you to clean edges of sofas, as well as skirting boards and various indoor corners.

To sum up, the model is an excellent choice for cleaning small pollution.

What downsides does the model have?

Although the vacuum cleaner has good absorbing capacity, the biggest problem is nozzles attachment. The locking mechanism, which should hold the nozzle in place, is not very strong, and that leads to loosening and gradual breakdown of the nozzles.

Besides, this model does not have a nozzle for removing pet hair, so it is unlikely to clean a carpet or furniture upholstery from pet hair with the vacuum cleaner. So best of all it’s suitable for quick indoor cleaning where there are no carpets or animals. The device costs less than 100$, thereby attracting many purchasers.

Pros

Lightweight.

15 – 30 minute run time.

Semi translucent dirt container lets you know when it’s time to empty it.

Comes with a 2 stage filtration system – a mesh + cloth filter that are washable – saving you on filter expense

Easy to empty.

Decent sized dirt container for a handheld.

Cons

The absence of a pet tool will make it tricky to clean up pet hair.

Integrated battery means that when it dies or something goes wrong with it, you can’t replace it by yourself – you need to go to a service center.

Filter release button and power switch are close to each.There is no extra filter.

Corded Options

All of the options above feature cordless vacuums that in my opinion would be best suited for spot cleanup tasks.

But if it takes more time to solve any tasks other than the battery might provide, it’s essential to find a model with electrical power supply cord.

It’s one of the best models of hand vacuum cleaners with grid connection.

The rigid motorized brush of the vacuum cleaner easily copes with the removal of pet hair from stairs and furniture upholstery. The function “Riser Visor” is added here providing versatility in cleaning horizontal and vertical surfaces of carpet-covered stairs, which is very convenient!

The model’s kit comprises a detachable flexible hose for cleaning hard-to-access zones, such as edges of sofas or chairs, as well as under-sofa area.

The cord plus the motorized brush give the vacuum cleaner a worthy place when choosing the best vacuum cleaner for cleaning carpets, cleaning sofas and mattresses.

If you are looking for an easy and versatile vacuum cleaner, EasyClean is an excellent choice for your home.

Pros

Great for upholstery and stairs – makes it easy to clean vertical areas on stairs and upholstery.

Strong suction.

Relatively quiet.

Lightweight.

Flexible hose and crevice tool adds to the versatility.

Filter is washable and it is bagless so this lessens operational costs.

Cons

Fills up quickly.

Struggles on contoured areas – may not work well inside cars.

Short hose.

Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner – Result

Even if it’s not the most powerful vacuum cleaner on our list, the BLACK+DECKER BDH2020FLFH is almost versatile for any cleaning, owing to a flexible hose and various nozzles, including ones for removing animal hair.

It has sufficient suction power for cleaning medium pollutions and it’s able to function long enough to complete the cleaning that you’ve started. The vacuum cleaner is great for cleaning car interior.

The lithium-ion battery provides a minimum power loss and will operate longer than any vacuum cleaner with a nickel battery.

It’s quite an attractive model from Dyson, given its power and capability of cleaning the floor. However, this vacuum cleaner is too expensive for a cordless model, althoigh it shows the best result on our list.

Choose any of the Dyson vacuum cleaners in the range, based on your needs, but remember that even the cheapest option from Dyson will still be much more expensive than any of the Black & Decker vacuum cleaners on this list.

Questions and Answers

Why Buy a Cordless Vacuum Cleaner?

Cordless vacuum cleaners are a great idea. While most aren’t as powerful as corded vacuum cleaners, cutting the wire is hugely useful and convenient. They let you clean in a completely different way. Instead of doing a big clean every week or so, it’s easy to get a cordless machine out to do quick spot cleans whenever you need.

Not being tethered to a socket means cleaning takes less time, too. That means less back bending, plus cordless vacuums are lighter too, so they’re a good option if you have a bad back. They’re typically easier to use on stairs and most are great to use in cars, making them even more versatile.

What are the Weaknesses?

A good cordless vacuum cleaner doesn’t come cheap. You can buy cordless vacuums for around $50 or so, but we don’t recommend any of them. They don’t clean well enough to justify the expense. That means the cheapest machines in our round-up cost upwards of $100.

All of the vacuums in this round-up clean well, but with one or two exceptions, they don’t clean as well as corded machines. For example, few can collect dirt trapped up against skirting boards, so you’ll need to go around with a crevice tool to get right into the corners.